Meadow lake is a carp anglers paradise. Members that fished the lake in the Association's carp matches have experienced some superb results in the past. For example, in July 2006 over 350 lb of carp was caught between the members that took part indicating that the lake is likely to be one of the best runs waters in South Wales.

There are a good head of double figure common, mirror and leather carp with a handful of the mirror carp being in the low 20 lb bracket. There are also a few smaller leather carp and linear carp. In recent years the carp have been piling on the weight with the common carp averaging around 10 lb and mirror carp slightly bigger at 13 lb.

Not only is the Meadow lake a great carp lake, it is also a great pleasure fishing water. Joining the carp are a good head of bream averaging 4-6 lb, tench up to 4 lb, roach, crucian carp and eels.

The lake has recently undergone some major improvements, and now has 25 pegs made up from purpose built wooden platforms and natural banking making the lake much more accessible to disabled anglers.

The Wilderness Lake

The Wilderness lake (about 4 acres in size) went through some major work of de-silting, bank restoration and the provision of 25 purpose built platforms giving access to able and disabled anglers.

Depths range from 1-5ft in the deeper areas. The lake is always coloured and even in the depths of winter it still produces fish after fish. It has a good mixture of course fish including bream, tench, roach, crucian carp, eels and the odd carp which are great fun on course tackle. There is serious sport with the tench in the summer which have been caught up to 5lb, with the bream reaching the same size. It's very shallow in general but this does not seem to affect the fishing at any time of year. The bream and roach respond well to bread punch, and the tench can be caught on caster, maggot or sweet corn. There are some carp in the lake, but these are rarely caught unless fished for.

The individual match record stands at 85 lbs for a 6 hour match, with second and third places both weighing in at over 75lbs each respectively. Best methods are known to be either the pole or the waggler using baits such as sweet corn, maggot, casters or punch. There are no carp to be kept in keepnets, and care must be taken when using any keepnet when water levels are at their lowest.

Directions to Meadow Lake

At Junction 37, M4, take the A4229 three miles towards Porthcawl, turning left at the third roundabout. Drive past the speed camera and continue on this road until you come to the end of the row of houses on your right. Take the next turning right and you'll be able to see the lake surrounded by metal railings. Ample parking is available on the roadside.

Directions to Wilderness Lake

At Junction 37, M4, take the A4229 three miles towards Porthcawl, turning left at the third roundabout. Look out for the Wilderness Lake turning first right just before the speed camera. Parking is either found here or for the other side of the lake follow the road to the end, turn right then take the first right again to arrive at the rear of the lake. The lake again has adequate parking on the roadside and the nearest shop is found when taking the second turn left after turning right before the speed camera.